A driver and three passengers were seriously injured after a car ploughed through a traffic island and into a lamppost.

All four in the vehicle were taken to hospital suffering from fractures, including to the skull, back and neck, after the collision in Moss Side early on Sunday morning.

Police said the man behind the wheel gave a positive alcohol breath test at the scene.

The Vauxhall Astra struck a kerb at the junction of Moss Lane East and Raby Street at around 6am, then veered through a traffic island andhit a lamppost outside Powerhouse Library.

The driver, 24, suffered a number of broken bones and three rear seat passengers, aged 19, 20 and 20, suffered various fractures to skull, back and neck. They are now recovering in hospital.

A GMP spokesman said: “The driver provided a positive breath test at the scene before being taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries and a result of the blood analysis in relation the alcohol content is awaited.”

Anyone with information should call the serious collision investigation unit on 0161 856 4742, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.